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Sergiy Boyev at OFDEF conference: air defense, drones, and extended-range munitions among Ukraine’s top priorities for 2026

Sergiy Boyev addresses an audience of military personnel from a podium at the OFDEF conference.
Sergiy Boyev noted that as long as international support continues, russia lacks the capacity to achieve any of its operational objectives

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Sergiy Boyev, delivered remarks at the OFDEF conference, which was dedicated to coordinating defense support for Ukraine from partner countries. In his address, he outlined the current security situation, the russian federation’s plans for 2026, and Ukraine’s key defense priorities.

According to Sergiy Boyev, since September last year russia has intensified offensive operations along the entire front line and is preparing for further escalation. At the same time, as long as international support continues, russia will not be able to achieve any of its operational objectives.

“Together with our partners, we have developed a military strategy focused on protecting Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, stabilizing the front, degrading russian logistics in operational depth, and striking the enemy’s strategic targets,” the Deputy Minister of Defence stressed.

To implement this strategy in 2026, Ukraine requires $120 billion. Of the total amount, Ukraine plans to secure half of this amount—$60 billion—through its own budget and loans from the European Union. The remaining $60 billion is expected from partners in the form of security assistance.

According to Sergiy Boyev, Ukraine’s key priorities for 2026 include air and missile defense systems and missiles for them, Ukrainian-produced UAVs, and extended-range artillery munitions. Ukraine is calling on partners to direct approximately 80% of security assistance toward these three priority areas.

View from the back of the hall at the OFDEF conference, with a large number of military personnel in camouflage uniforms listening to a speaker standing in front of a large screen.
The key priorities for 2026 are air and missile defense systems and missiles for them, Ukrainian-produced UAVs, and extended-range artillery munitions

Ukraine plans to produce more than 7 million drones in 2026 as part of its unmanned systems capabilities. Unmanned technologies have become the backbone of Ukraine’s asymmetric defense, enabling the establishment of a strike zone with a depth of up to 20 kilometers. The next objective is to extend this zone to 100 kilometers by conducting strikes against russian targets in operational depth.

Sergiy Boyev also underscored the critical need for air defense, noting that russia has substantially expanded the production and employment of cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as attack drones. Ukraine requires urgent deliveries of missiles for key missile defense systems. The supply of long-range strike capabilities and aviation-related strike capabilities is also essential.

“Speed in decision-making and the delivery of supplies is critical. Every interceptor means saved lives and protected infrastructure,” the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine emphasized.

A wide view of the OFDEF conference, with a service member in a camouflage uniform speaking in front of a large screen.
Ukraine called on partners to take a more active role in the PURL initiative

Ukraine also called on partners to take a more active role in the PURL initiative, which continues to serve as a key mechanism for delivering modern air defense and strike capabilities.

Concluding his address, Sergiy Boyev stated that enhanced support for Ukraine in 2026 is essential to deter russian aggression and to lay the groundwork for a just and lasting peace.

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